• Kaiārahi – Te Whare Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science
• Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland
• $110,000 – $136,000 per annum, based on skills and experience

The opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

Kei aku nui, Kei aku pūkenga,  Kei aku mātanga, e whāia te iti kahurangi, e mihi ana ki a koutou katoa

Kua tūwhera he tūranga rangatira, tō tātou Kaiārahi i tō tātou kāpeka pūtaiao

Taumata Teitei, the University’s Strategic Plan, identifies our purpose as “recognising globally transformative impacts through our distinctive strengths in world-leading research, scholarship, teaching and collaborative partnerships inspired by our unique position in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific.”

This is an exciting role that has a blend of strategic and operational responsibilities. The Kaiārahi plays a key leadership role in enabling the faculty to develop and implement strategies to achieve of equitable outcomes for Māori staff and students. The Kaiārahi works in partnership and collaboration with the Dean, Associate Dean Māori, Associate Dean Pacific, Director of Faculty Operations, and other leaders in the Faculty to develop, prioritise and implement:

• Strategies that support and enhance the wellbeing, participation and success of Māori students and staff.
• Facilitate expert advice to the Faculty with respect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and te reo me ōna tikanga.
• The amplifying of the Tuākana Learning Communities in the faculty in line with the Learner Success plan, and in partnership with the Offices of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori and Pro Vice Chancellor Pacific.

The successful candidate will be joining a community of Māori students and Māori staff. The Māori community within the faculty comprises of the Tuākana Learning Communities, Te Taura Here Pūtaiao (Māori staff network chaired by Associate Dean Māori), Ngā Motu Whakahī (Māori and Pacific research capacity building initiative), and Te Pūtahi o Pūtaiao (Research Centre).  Our staff and students can also connect with our Rainbow and Women in Science networks, Parenting support, our Waipapa Marae.

The Kaiārahi will work in partnership with the Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor Māori and strengthen these critical relationships to be effective and influence across all levels of the University, and join a community of Kaiārahi that work across the University.

This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week), on a permanent contract. The starting salary range is $110,000 – $136,000 per annum, based on skills and experience. For more detailed information, please refer to the Position Description.

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About us

The Faculty of Science, Te Whare Pūtaiao is comprised of ten distinct academic units and eight operational support teams.  Each academic unit has a dual focus on teaching and research, to deliver a high standard of research-informed teaching, along with impactful research. The operational support teams are tasked with delivering operational excellence and cultivating an environment that empowers the Faculty to meet its strategic goals and day-to-day operational needs.

With more than 9500 full time equivalent students (EFTS) studying across our Faculty every year, our graduates can be found around the globe in positions of influence in science, technology, business, health, government, and beyond, making the communities they live in better places.

As a large and diverse Faculty with close to 1,000 staff, we are committed to improving the economic, social, and environmental welfare of our local, national and global communities through excellence in teaching, research and service.  

Based primarily in the heart of the University’s City Campus, our purpose-built facilities provide state-of-the-art learning spaces and research laboratories capable of supporting our research and teaching mission. We also have a world class Marine Laboratory at the Leigh Campus, including a new research vessel, adjacent to the first no-take marine reserve in the world, and facilities at both the Grafton medical campus, and the Newmarket innovation campus.

About you | He kōrero mōu

If you are passionate about making a difference and have experience creating pathways for tauira or kaimahi to succeed and belong, this is the position for you.

You will enjoy working collaboratively and be a skilled orator with excellent written and verbal communications skills, keen to share that experience with others.

Your strengths include influencing at all levels, prioritisation and delivering results and solutions. You will be comfortable working both independently and with others.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in increasing opportunities for kaimahi Māori. You will be an active part of the University’s ongoing commitment to fulfilling our vision and leading the work we do to ensure the principles of Te Tiriti and manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and kaitiakitanga are embedded in our work environment.

Skills and experience:

• Track record of strategy development and implementation in a large, complex environment, ideally relevant to the tertiary sector.
• In depth understanding of tikanga Māori and principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
• Experience and understanding of equity issues in New Zealand, especially in relation to Māori
• Demonstrates a high level of commitment to te reo me ōna tikanga Māori and ability to confidently navigate Te Ao Māori - confident in everyday use of Te Reo Māori in a work context
• A Science degree is not essential but desirable.

We recognise that valuable skills can be gained through a range of experiences both within and outside of paid work, hence we welcome applicants to reflect experience and skills relevant to the role that may have been gained in a range of contexts, including in whānau, hapū and community roles.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

The University of Auckland is committed to providing an excellent working environment through:

• Flexible employment practices and a culture that supports work-life balance
• Professional and leadership development programmes and a supportive Kaiārahi network
• A competitive salary with five weeks’ annual leave
• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme

In addition, we also offer career development programmes, discounted car parking, a generous parental leave allowance, childcare, and a number of other discounts on internal and external services. For more information, please visit our Staff Benefits page.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Applications should be submitted online, before the closing date of Sunday 13th July, 2025 and include a CV and cover letter outlining what strengths you will bring to this role.

Should we meet you for an interview, your whānau and support people are welcome to join you, and we welcome you to contact us to discuss any reasonable accommodations we can make throughout the recruitment process.

If you have any questions about this role, please get in touch with Jade Le Grice, Manupiri Māori | Associate Dean (Māori) for a confidential discussion at j.legrice@auckland.ac.nz

While we are happy to answer questions by email, we ask that applications are submitted online.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz